"You… you're Enkidu?"
At that moment, Mash was the first to react in surprise.
No doubt, if Chaldea had been able to monitor the situation here, they'd already be in an uproar.
Because if the young man standing before them truly was Enkidu, then this was no small matter.
After all, Enkidu was an existence who stood on equal footing with the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh — a divine weapon forged by the power of the gods, the strongest god-forged weapon in the world.
Capable of freely altering its form, even transforming itself into a Noble Phantasm to slay enemies; combining unmatched fluidity with the sharpest of edges; able to bind and slaughter even divine beasts; a manifestation of nature itself — he was known as the Sentient Noble Phantasm.
Even the tyrant Gilgamesh had never been able to defeat him. That alone spoke volumes about the power of this divine weapon.
Without exaggeration, even among the Heroic Spirits in the Throne, Enkidu was an unparalleled entity — a being at the very pinnacle of all Heroic Spirits, a being in a class of his own.
However, at this moment, he was neither a Heroic Spirit nor a Servant, but instead truly alive — a being existing in the world in his original form.
"Divine weapon…"
Altera narrowed her eyes, her entire body now emanating a dangerous aura.
Naturally, Enkidu was acutely aware of that presence.
"Could I ask you not to stare at me like that?" Enkidu said with a hint of helplessness. "I don't know what sort of being you are, but for some reason, just looking at you makes my instincts tremble. This is the first time I've felt something like this since the day I was born. Please, forgive my cowardice."
Hearing that, Altera fell silent.
However, she did look away, and the intense aura surrounding her eased — if only slightly.
After all, there was still one thing left to confirm.
That was — Enkidu's intent.
"You seem to know who we are," Rozen scrutinized Enkidu for a moment before speaking. "Looks like you know quite a bit about us."
In response, Enkidu shook his head.
"I wouldn't say that. But the high priestess of Uruk has already observed the future through astrology and informed me of your existence — of the Human Order Incineration crisis, and of Chaldea as well."
Enkidu looked at Rozen and smiled warmly. "I can sense distant presences through the earth, so I've been using that ability to search for you across this land, at the priestess's request. And now, I've finally completed that task."
Enkidu's words left Mash a little uncertain.
"So… you specifically came to find us?"
Mash carefully confirmed.
"Yes." Enkidu nodded seriously. "This era is suffering a calamity unlike any in the past. The disaster came suddenly, and the persecution of humanity has surpassed even the time when the Bull of Heaven, Gugalanna, descended. Uruk is in desperate need of powerful individuals. You, from Chaldea, who have come to restore the Human Order — you are precisely the allies we've been praying for."
In other words, Enkidu had come searching for Chaldea's people — for the sake of Uruk, for humanity, for this era.
For someone like Enkidu — who could meld with nature and sense presences through the earth — Rozen and his group had likely been discovered the moment they first stepped onto this land.
Thus, Enkidu had traveled a great distance, specifically to welcome Rozen's party.
"My mission is to safely guide you to Uruk," Enkidu said. "Of course, I also have another task, and I would be grateful if you chose to assist with it. But for now, I want you to know — we are not your enemies."
With that, Enkidu took a deliberate step back, keeping some distance from Rozen's group — a gesture to prove he had no hostile intentions.
And the natural aura that radiated from Enkidu's body inspired a strange sense of goodwill.
Mash couldn't help but relax her guard.
Even Altera loosened her tightly furrowed brow, fully withdrawing her threatening aura.
Rozen studied Enkidu thoughtfully, then gave a slight nod.
"To think we'd encounter an ally so soon after arriving in this Singularity," Rozen said calmly. "I'm not fully clear on this era's situation yet, but if you're fighting to protect humanity, to defend this time period, then yes — we're on the same side."
"Exactly." Enkidu finally smiled. "Would you be willing to return to Uruk with me? I'm sure King Gilgamesh would be eager to meet you as well."
"Even King Gilgamesh knows about us?"
Mash asked in mild surprise.
"Of course." Enkidu responded as if it were obvious. "Though he's arrogant, he's also the most brilliant sage of this world. If the high priestess can see the future, you can be sure that king has as well. But he's eccentric — even if he knows something, he wouldn't speak of it. Seeking help from others isn't a concept he's ever considered. In his mind, as long as he's present, some 'trivial Human Order crisis' isn't even worth mentioning."
From those words alone, it was easy to see just how overbearing and proud the most ancient hero of mankind truly was.
At the same time, Enkidu's statement revealed something else.
Namely, that seeking aid from Chaldea had not been Gilgamesh's will — but rather the independent decision of certain individuals, including Enkidu.
"Well then—"
Rozen was about to ask something more, but suddenly paused.
And not just Rozen — even Enkidu's gaze grew sharp.
Mash and Altera immediately went on alert, scanning their surroundings.
"Grrr…"
"Grrrr…"
Accompanied by low growls, one magical beast after another emerged, surrounding them.
"This isn't the place for a conversation."
After scanning the area, Enkidu spoke decisively.
"Let's leave here first."
Naturally, no one objected.
"Mash, Altera."
Rozen spoke without delay.
Mash and Altera immediately understood his intent and, without hesitation, de-materialized into spirit form.
Rozen was now left standing alone.
"Can you fly?"
He turned to the stunned Enkidu and asked.
"I can. After all, I can freely reshape my form and meld with nature."
Enkidu quickly regained composure and gave a confident nod.
"Then let's get out of here."
As he spoke, Rozen's black feathered coat stirred, lifting him into the air.
"Oh?"
Watching this, Enkidu blinked in surprise, eyes widening slightly as he fixated on the black coat, as if sensing something unusual about it.
Still, Enkidu said nothing. His own white robe fluttered, and just like Rozen, he began to levitate.
The two soared skyward, leaving the magical beasts behind, while enraged howls echoed from below — and they flew off together, toward a new destination.